SO much work going on around here right now! We’ve been working on a big project in Evanston helping them pick all paint, wallpaper, tile for bathrooms and lighting. It’s been fun to see it coming together for this great family. With careers and three little girls, they were feeling overwhelmed picking everything out so we were a welcome addition to their team!

The project isn’t complete, but here are a few progress shots from different rooms. We went for large statement David Hicks pendants over the kitchen island…

In the master bathroom, we layered different marble tile including a gorgeous mosaic on one shower wall that is a piece of art…

And in a bathroom for two of the girls, we decided to do a herringbone floor with porcelain tiles. This is an affordable way to make a statement. It’s paired with a simple white subway tile with gray grout and a special little bit of marble bubble tile in the shower cubbies.

And, check out this awesome office–with those original pocket doors, we knew we had to go with a dark color on the walls and decided to paint out all the moldings to really go for an old-world, moody feeling.

Pier One was always a source for me when I went to decorate my first apartment right out of college. Back then it was a store that I bought fake flowers (yes, I admit), candles and furniture. I never considered it to be a store for when I grew up and had a place of my own. However, I do find that their holiday decor is great! This past weekend I found myself looking for some Halloween decorations and I was pleasantly surprised by some of their other pieces of furniture which caused me to continue my search online when I got home. I don’t know who surprises me more these days-Target or Pier One!

Love this side table for a boy’s bedroom!

Pierce Bedside Table

Oh, how pretty for a girl’s room or a powder room.

Reflection Mirror

Campaign style furniture is all the rage these days–this dresser is a steal at 319.00!

A reader contacted us last week asking about an alternative to the Restoration Hardware rug that I included in the last post about entry way design. Surprisingly, she didn’t want to have to sell a kidney to get a new look for her foyer. Come on!

Here’s the original from my design:

Perfectly antiqued look with shades of taupe, gray and blue that will look classic yet still contemporary in any home (no I didn’t just take that directly from the RH catalog copy–it’s true!) But at $4000 for a 8×10 ok it’s not the most practical choice I’ll admit that. So, how do you get a similar look for a much lower price? Here are four good options we found…

This Vintage looking light blue rug (5’3 x 7’6) is darker (could be good thing with muddy boots!) but at under $200 for a 5×7 you might be willing to compromise slightly on the color. It’s also available in other sizes.

Also in the blue family is this Safavieh Vintage Grey Rug is under $500 for a 9 x 12. The viscose in it will give it a nice shine almost like a patina.

Or, if you want to go with warmer tones, this Vintage Warm Beige Rug is a great option. For under $400 for a (almost) 8 x 10 it’s a great price point for an entry so you get a high-end look, but still allow people to walk into your entry!

Remember when buying off of sites like Overstock to look at the reviews/comments for additional information on feel, comfort, color, etc. We all know the color of something on your computer screen isn’t necessarily what you’re going to see in person and often in the reviews section people will make note of specific color information.

Like in the design board, we suggest pairing rugs like this with more contemporary pieces–clean lines, a little acrylic, you know the things that will keep these rugs from feeling too stuffy.